man who knows quite a lot about mitt romney's debate preparation, his senior advisor, former senator jim tallent. welcome to you. >> good to be with you, piers. >> how is he getting on, the candidate? because this is potentially a make or break debate for mitt romney. >> yeah, it certainly is a big debate and a big debate for the country. well, he's worked hard. the president is a good debater and he's been in this -- on this spotlight before, so you know, governor romney is probably a little bit the underdog but i think he's going to be ready. he's going to be ready on the issues which is really what this election's about. >> there's a massive game at the moment of both sides downplaying expectation. so far, even if mitt romney just makes the stage, you guys could declare a triumph and a glorious victory. it's getting a bit ridiculous. the truth is mitt romney spent most of the first half of this year debating, so he should have the advantage, shouldn't he? >> well, i expect him to do well. i don't think -- what an election's about, what this one's about, piers, we can't go on like this